This is a story written by my P6 student, Aris. I love the way she portrayed the main character's bonding with the mother.
All the best for your PSLE, Aris! Shoot for the stars :) Love you. ;)
Immediately, forty stunned looks turned and stared at me. I gulped down the stone in my throat at a loss of words. How should I answer Madam Lee? I had a fear of performing in front of audience ever since I was young. Every time I spoke in a group, I would wish that the floor would gobble me up alive. Why did she even choose me?
However, I could not possibly say no to her for it would ruin the “perfect image” she had of me. My cheeks started burning as I stuttered, “I…I am willing to go to the story…story telling competition.” Madam Lee grinned and continued her usual lessons. During her lessons, I could not concentrate at all. I would stare blankly into space, and fret over the storytelling competition.
That night, I could not sleep at all. When I closed my eyes, images of my classmates laughing at me for not receiving the certificate would appear in my mind. Even when I slept, I would dream of the certificate haunting me, it was very scary! As a result, I suffered from repeated insomnia.
The very next morning, I told Mother about Madam Lee who had selected me for a storytelling competition. She looked at me and replied, “Madam Lee has chosen you because she sees the potential in you. So I am pretty sure you can do it. Don't worry. Mother will also try to practise with you to curb your fear.” After hearing that, I felt more relieved and confident, hoping to win the certificate for my school.
As each day passed, my confidence in performing on stage grew due to Mother’s consistent practice sessions with me. Mother even organised a rehearsal for me. She invited her friends and some of our close relatives. That day, I managed to perform quite well, and was on cloud nine as I knew that I had finally overcome my fear!
Finally, the day that I had been anticipating for arrived. Mother and I made our way to Raffles Girls’ School where the competition was held.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the tenth storytelling competition!” the emcee announced. A round of applause was soon followed.
“Let’s welcome our first contestant, Wong Jiayi!” the emcee said. Another round of applause was given while Jiayi walked up to the stage.
“Once upon a time, there lived…” Jiayi spoke with animated expression while reciting her story. When she finished, everybody clapped for her. “She is really good. What if I cannot perform as well as her, I would not get the certificate then,” I thought to myself. Soon, more and more contestants performed and they were all excellent. Confidence began to desert me as I thought I would not be able to win the certificate. Mother seemed to sense my fear and clutched my hand tightly.
Finally, it was my turn, I told myself that no matter what, I had to win. I marched up the stage, with my eyes burning with determination. My nails bit into my palms as I clenched my fists. Somehow, my courage turned into fear which then prickled my forehead the moment I was about perform and I immediately broke out in cold sweat.
That night, I could not sleep at all. When I closed my eyes, images of my classmates laughing at me for not receiving the certificate would appear in my mind. Even when I slept, I would dream of the certificate haunting me, it was very scary! As a result, I suffered from repeated insomnia.
The very next morning, I told Mother about Madam Lee who had selected me for a storytelling competition. She looked at me and replied, “Madam Lee has chosen you because she sees the potential in you. So I am pretty sure you can do it. Don't worry. Mother will also try to practise with you to curb your fear.” After hearing that, I felt more relieved and confident, hoping to win the certificate for my school.
As each day passed, my confidence in performing on stage grew due to Mother’s consistent practice sessions with me. Mother even organised a rehearsal for me. She invited her friends and some of our close relatives. That day, I managed to perform quite well, and was on cloud nine as I knew that I had finally overcome my fear!
Finally, the day that I had been anticipating for arrived. Mother and I made our way to Raffles Girls’ School where the competition was held.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the tenth storytelling competition!” the emcee announced. A round of applause was soon followed.
“Let’s welcome our first contestant, Wong Jiayi!” the emcee said. Another round of applause was given while Jiayi walked up to the stage.
“Once upon a time, there lived…” Jiayi spoke with animated expression while reciting her story. When she finished, everybody clapped for her. “She is really good. What if I cannot perform as well as her, I would not get the certificate then,” I thought to myself. Soon, more and more contestants performed and they were all excellent. Confidence began to desert me as I thought I would not be able to win the certificate. Mother seemed to sense my fear and clutched my hand tightly.
Finally, it was my turn, I told myself that no matter what, I had to win. I marched up the stage, with my eyes burning with determination. My nails bit into my palms as I clenched my fists. Somehow, my courage turned into fear which then prickled my forehead the moment I was about perform and I immediately broke out in cold sweat.
Fortunately, Mother’s words came to my mind,“Jenny, no matter what, Mother will be there for you. Just try your best!”
“Long…long time ago…ago, there lived three…three little pigs…,” I began, almost stuttering, my heart hammering as frowns began to appear on the judges’ faces.
Just then, Mother’s and my eyes met. Through the way she looked at me. I could tell she was trying to say, “Relax, take a deep breath. Just try your best and do not give yourself pressure.” I took a deep breath and continued the story.
“Long…long time ago…ago, there lived three…three little pigs…,” I began, almost stuttering, my heart hammering as frowns began to appear on the judges’ faces.
Just then, Mother’s and my eyes met. Through the way she looked at me. I could tell she was trying to say, “Relax, take a deep breath. Just try your best and do not give yourself pressure.” I took a deep breath and continued the story.
Unexpectedly, I did not stutter at all and also began to gesticulate wildly. The frowns on the judges’ faces were ironed out and they turned into smiles. Those reassuring smiles seemed to have magical powers and they “killed” the butterflies that were fluttering in my stomach. When I finished my story, thunderous applause from the audience ricocheted rapturously off the wall. I ran down the stage and hugged Mother. She whispered, “I could tell you did your very best so don’t worry!”
Now, it was time for the panel of judges to decide. The waiting time was killing me. After what had seemed like eternity, the emcee finally announced, “The results are out and I am going to announce the winners right away!”
“In the third place, we have..." he started rattling off the winners who strode up the stage to receive their certificates. "Finally, for the first place, we have…” There was a pregnant pause. “Jenny Teo!” I froze momentarily and was speechless for a split second.
Now, it was time for the panel of judges to decide. The waiting time was killing me. After what had seemed like eternity, the emcee finally announced, “The results are out and I am going to announce the winners right away!”
“In the third place, we have..." he started rattling off the winners who strode up the stage to receive their certificates. "Finally, for the first place, we have…” There was a pregnant pause. “Jenny Teo!” I froze momentarily and was speechless for a split second.
Then, I ran up the stage and collected the certificate that I had always dreamt of. A wave of euphoria engulfed me as I was gushed with a mega-watt smile, hugging the certificate in my bosom. Mum stood up and gave her loudest applause.
That was definitely a significant day in my life for I achieved something that I had never dreamed that was possible. But I have done it and the certificate hung on the wall of the general office is the proof of it.
That was definitely a significant day in my life for I achieved something that I had never dreamed that was possible. But I have done it and the certificate hung on the wall of the general office is the proof of it.
Aris Lim
P6
Source: The modified image comes from a RC competition from Tiong Bahru.
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